Motorist fined for using mobile phone whilst driving

A Dungannon motorist has been fined £180 for failing to wear a seat belt and using a mobile phone whilst driving.

Norman Kirkland, 54, from Terryscollop Road, was charged with the offences at East Tyrone Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The court heard how police observed the defendant committing the offences while crossing a junction at Kilnacart Road on June 23.

When stopped and questioned by police, Kirkland offered no reasonable explanation why he was not wearing a seat-belt.

His defence solicitor told the court that the defendant had no previous record of motoring offences. Judge John Meehan fined him £90 for not wearing a seat-belt and a further £90 for using a phone whilst driving.